Sunday, April 8, 2012

Green Pears and Golf

Easter and Passover Greetings to all my friends! Hope you have a memorable day with family and friends or just doing what gives you the most enjoyment! My Easter weekend plans fell through thanks to Andrew's employer.  He has had to work all weekend but he and Anna will come here next weekend and we'll just extend Easter until then.

It's another beautiful Easter and Masters Sunday here in Augusta. We have gone from 90 degrees on Monday to a cool 45 degrees Saturday morning - so typical of Augusta in April. The weather has been perfect for the thousands of golf patrons who descend on Augusta this time every April. Hope they are enjoying it as much as I am.


My free time this week has revolved around golf and the green A pear. Yesterday while watching the golf tournament on television I finished up all of the green diamonds on the A. When I think about the incredible stitch combinations that Amy thinks up for her stitch guides, I wish that I had half of the creativity that she has in just her little finger! She never ceases to amaze me with her talent for picking just the right threads and stitches. The silvery green Kreinik that is used on top of the light green basketweave diamonds positively glows. It almost looks like it glows in the dark although I don't think it actually does. But, it certainly gives that impression.


I believe I can finish up the A this afternoon and move on to the very last pear. There is still over half of the background that needs attention but the bulk of the stitching is almost completed. My thoughts about this project turn more and more now to one of the most important aspects of any needlepoint project - the finishing. One of my stitching friends here on the blog suggested a few weeks ago that I consider finishing it as a stand-up. I'm really leaning towards that idea and can easily see in my mind what it might look like. Just hope I can translate what is in my mind's eye to the finisher!


There was a little stash enhancement this week. My Sweet Dreams canvas by & more arrived from Amy's on Wednesday. I'll probably take it with me when I visit Amy's in May to pick out threads. First I need to think about which stitches to use in each of the stripes. This canvas will work so beautifully with the other needlepoint pillows on my bed. I stitched a custom canvas for my mother many years ago now that has the first three words of her favorite Easter hymn "Welcome happy morning" across it. "Sweet Dreams" will be perfectly paired with it.

I made a trip to Nurseries Caroliniana yesterday and came home with a trunk full of flowers to plant on the patio. I got most of them into pots yesterday but am ready to head out this morning and finish up the remainder. I want to take care of the planting this morning so that I have the afternoon free for stitching and golf.

I'll leave you with a plate of Easter/Masters goodies from Two Moms Bakery. Have a wonderful day!



13 comments:

  1. Hi Melinda,
    Happy Easter! Sorry your Easter/ Birthday plans got spoiled. Hopefully, Andrew's boss will not spoil them again.
    Your A is coming out great. Love the cookies. They look delicious.
    Linda

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    1. Hi, Linda - I was disappointed that they couldn't get here this weekend but hopefully everything will work out for them to come next weekend. The cookies are soooo good! They use almond extract in their cookies and that's just my favorite!

      Have a good week -

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  2. Hi Melinda, Happy Easter. I just enjoy reading your blog so much, every Sunday. Everything looks beautiful. I worked on my "S" this week, but boy am I having a hard time compensating the waffle squares. I am going to sit down now for a while and give it another try. We are heading to Napa for a week on Thurs and I am going to lose a whole week of stitching on my banner. Zach is doing better. I think he needs the doctor to take a look at the incision tomorrow just to make sure that is how it is suppose to look. Please have a very happy Easter and a great week.

    Diane

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    1. Hi, Diane - Wish I had some helpful tips for you on the white squares of the S pear but if I had problems with the compensation, I can't remember anymore. You will figure it out! How nice that you are going to California this week. I hope you have a wonderful time and that the weather cooperates. Glad to hear your son's surgery went well. Hope his healing comes along quickly!

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  3. Hi, Melinda - Happy Easter! You might like to know that Julia Snyder is teaching a class on her & more sayings at Pawley's Island Needlepoint this summer. She'll cover threads and stitches for a variety of her pieces and stitchers can choose the "saying" piece they'd like to stitch in the class. I think it's the last weekend in June - she's also doing an embellishment class and I think a Clara Wells small purse. Just thought you'd like to know! I'm signed up for all three days :)

    Elizabeth

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    1. Hi, Elizabeth - Thank you so much for the information about the Pawleys Island class. I hesitate to say I can go as those dates are right when my busiest work season begins. Darn work! Sounds like a great class since it is particularly about her sayings canvases. I'm glad you are going, however!

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  4. I was in church this morning and the first hymn was "Welcome Happy Morning". It is a lovely hymn. I love how diligent you are with your stitching - such dedication. You choose such great canvases. As I'm typing the tv is tuned in to the Masters. Happy Easter! So sorry to hear your plans were disrupted.

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    1. Hi, Beth - Yes, I imagine that hymn was sung in many Episcopal churches this morning. Are you Episcopalian or another denomination? I haven't sung it in a few years but I can still hear it in my mind. We sang it at my mother's funeral. She would have definitely approved! I have the Masters on as well this afternoon - very exciting - as always!

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  5. Happy Easter! Your project is looking terrific and I am glad that you liked the stand-up suggestion, I can see it in my head too! I always check in Sunday and appreciate you sharing your beautiful stitching.

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    1. Hi, Gretchen - I do appreciate the suggestion of a stand-up for this project. It will be big no matter how it is finished! Hope you had a nice Easter!

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  6. Looks like you had a good Easter. Sorry the kids weren't home. I am sure you are looking forward to seeing them next weekend. I can't believe the Christmas banner is almost done. It will look great around the house come Christmas time.
    I spent my evening stitching on Helowise. She looks great. I am not sure about the skirt stitch. I noticed Jeanne K changed hers. Stitched a little to look at and moved on to other parts. Have a great week.

    Steph

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    1. Hi, Steph - I did have a nice Easter, did you and your family? I spent much of the morning on the patio cleaning out some beds around it and planting the flowers I bought on Saturday. It was a beautiful morning! I didn't get much stitching done during the afternoon and evening - the golf was too distracting. How's the roof coming along?

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  7. We had a wild Easter weekend. College girls all over the place and the boys coming and going to a tennis tournament. We all made it to brunch at the club at 1pm. Then the airport run. I collapsed at 4pm. It was a beautiful day here and once I rallied, I did stitch in the evening getting Helowise's blouse on her. She is coming along. Check my blog for pics tomorrow. Don't you have her?

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